The Letter of Exemption
In May 1567, some 300 years before
the first Geneva Convention,
Mary Queen of Scots signed
a letter to the surgeons of this College,
which enshrined the status of surgeons
as non combatants in battle.
The letter decreed
that the surgeons of all realms are
exempt from bearing of arms
providing always that they
...be present with our armies ready to do
their cure and duty to all sick persons
Cure and duty
to all sick persons
Over the centuries Licentiates,
Members and Fellows of this College
throughout the world have followed
this ethos by treating the wounded
and the dying while serving
their country at war.
This memorial commemorates
those who lost their lives in war
while treating others.
The Quincentenary Building, Old Town, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
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